The Emir
of Kano, Mohammadu Sunusi II, yesterday denied the allegation that he was
harbouring Ese Oruru in his palace.

At a news
conference at his palace, the Emir said he learnt of the fact that the girl was
still in Kano when journalists from the BBC called on him while he was South
Africa.

He said:
“Since August last year, the District Head of Kura came to the palace with a
young girl of about 15 years, alongside with somebody from the area whom we
were told was married to him after she was converted to Islam.

“I ordered
for her immediate repatriation to her parents who were said to be in Bayelsa
State.

I ordered the Kano State Shariah Commission to liaise with the Assistant
Inspector General ( AIG) Zone 1 to assist in taking her back to her
parents in Bayelsa, through the AIG who oversees Bayelsa axis, for her safety.”

Sanusi
said he solicited for the intervention of the police authorities because the
girl was said to have made a statement that she was afraid that her parents
could harm her.

“In Islam, she has no right to just go ahead and decide things for herself. She
is still young. She is not matured enough. And nowhere in Islam where
such young girls can just make up their mind and give their hands in marriage
just like that. It is not permitted in Islam. That is why we said she must be
taken back to her parents, “ Sanusi added.

The
monarch said he was surprised when he saw online stories alleging that he
ordered for the girl to remain in captivity of the palace.

“To my
utter surprise since from the time we ordered that the girl be taken to her
parents in Bayelsa through AIG Zone 1 office, we didn’t hear anything about
her. Just for us to now start hearing all kinds of stories that we are keeping
her in our custody. This is injustice of the highest order, “ Kano Emir
said.

He went on:
“I am therefore giving an order that an investigation should immediately
commence with the AIG office and know what was the position of things since
that time we ordered for her repatriation to her parents.”

The Emir
called on Yunusa to wait till she is 18 and ask for her hand in marriage.

He added:
“We cannot in anyway be more Muslims than the Prophet of Islam Muhammad, Peace
Be Upon Him. We must therefore do things according to the set rules and
regulations governing our religion.“